Display rack

ABSTRACT

A self-leveling dispenser and display rack including a support frame, a horizontally displaced platform, a plurality of springs for supporting the platform within the frame. The springs being encased within arcuate support guide members so that the platform is self-leveling under a varying load.

May 30, 1972 United States Patent Davis llllll Ardell Davis, 381 1 DeLeon Ave., Tampa,

Primary ExaminerNile C. Byers, Jr.

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frame, a horizontally displaced platform, a plurality of springs forsupporting the platform within the frame. The springs being encasedwithin arcuate support guide members so that the platform isself-leveling under a varying load.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 12 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures 2,717,085Waddington....................t....211/49 X PATENTEDHAY 30 m2 SHET 10F 2INVENTOR. ARDELL DAVIS ATTORNEY.

PATENTEDHAY 3 0 I972 SHEEI 2 OF 2 FIG.7

INVENTOR. ARDELL DAVIS BY 2 a,

0-14% ATTORNEY.

DISPLAY RACK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relatesgenerally to apparatus for displaying and dispensing stacked articlesand particularly to a seIf-level-. ing dispenser which utilizes itssupport frame to encase the spring balancing means.

Spring leveled dispensing apparatus have been utilized in various formsin the prior art. The most common dispenser of this type is the dishdispensing apparatus found in cafeterias. These dispensers utilize atubular enclosure extending downwardly through an opening in acountertop or an upper wall in a cabinet. The tubular enclosure usuallyhas a rim by which the enclosure, together with the dispensing apparatusand the dishes supported therein are entirely suspended and supported bythe cabinet. Contained within the tubular enclosure is a large coilspring bearing against the bottom of the enclosure and against adispensing head upon which the dishes are stacked. The spring, thus,accommodates itself to the weight of the dishes stacked in thedispensing head so that the uppermost dish is automatically positionedabove the counter top and is readily accessible for use. While this typeof single coil spring dispenser is satisfactory for use with circulardishes and the like, it has been found that the conventional tubulartype dish dispensing mechanism, powered by a single large diameterspring coil, is unsatisfactory when the support rack is non-circular andfairly large. This is so because the single, centrally located springtends to tilt and bind at the top when under eccentric load. Thisbinding is usually caused by the shifting of the center of gravity asthe various articles to be dispensed are removed from the platform in anon-symmetrical fashion. In addition, the conventional tube type selfleveling dispenser commonly incorporates a circular, pan-shapeddispensing platform which rests on the top of the coiled spring withconnecting means, such as a chain, extending from the bottom side of thedispensing platform, through the center of the spring, to the base ofthe tubular enclosure. The purpose of this construction being to keepthe dispensing head and the spring within the confines of the tube. Asthe spring is compressed and decompressed, the dispensing head tends torub against the side of the tube, this metal to metal contact, inaddition to being noisy, increases the friction and decreases thelifting efiiciency of the dispenser. Another common disadvanrage of theprior art self-leveling dispensers is the difficulty in adjusting of theheight of the self-dispensing head. The prior art devices commonlyprovide a screw-type device located at the bottom of the housing whichraises or lowers the bottom of the platfonn at the base of the spring.With this type of adjustment device, the articles frequently must beremoved before adjustment can be made. Also, accurate leveling at adesired height is difficult and usually done be guesswork.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of this invention is toprovide an improved self-Ieveling apparatus for displaying anddispensing stacked articles.

A further object of the invention is to provide a self-levelingdispenser which utilizes a plurality of leveling springs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a self-leveling dispenserwhich utilizes its frame to encase the balancing springs.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a selflevelingdisplay rack and dispenser which is arranged to carry non-symmetricalloads without buckling or tipping.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope ofthe invention will be indicated in the claims.

The above and other objects not specifically enumerated are accomplishedby providing a self-leveling display rack which comprises a plurality ofarcuate, hollow, support bars adapted and arranged to provide the dualfunctions of supporting the horizontally planar support rack andconcealing the plurality of springs which are attached to and level theplanar rack. The spring tension is adapted to be adjusted such thatarticles to be displayed are at a predetermined, self-leveling heightregardless of their number. The particular height of the articles may beadjusted while the rack remains loaded. The arcuate supports may beU-shaped, arched or vertical and they may have circular, rectangular orother convenient cross section which will freely accomodate the encasedspring.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope ofthe invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of thenature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to thefollowing detailed description taken in combination with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a first preferred embodiment of the displayrack.

FIG. 2 is a cross section view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a broken cross section view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a broken cross section view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross section view of a square tube.

FIG. 6 is a cross section view along line 6-6 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a cross section view of a second preferred embodiment of thedisplay rack.

FIG. 8 is broken cross section view along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a third preferred embodiment of the displayrack.

FIG. 10 is a broken cross section view through line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

Similar reference characters refer to similar throughout the severalviews of the drawing.

parts DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now toFIGS. 1 and 2, wherein is shown generally a first embodiment of displayrack 10. Display rack 10 has four sides, 12, 14, 16 and 18 which areconjoined at their vertical edges by suitable fastening means such asrivets 20 or brackets (not shown) to form a generally square, opentopped column. The sides may be constructed of any suitable rigidmaterial such as plastic, sheet metal, tin or the like, which is ofsufiicient strength to support the articles (not shown) to be displayed.Attached to the interior wall 22 of side 12 by rivets 20 are twoU-shaped tubes 26 and 28. The tubes are here shown to be generallysquare in cross section. However, it is contemplated that the tube becircular or any suitable cross section. Tube 26 is slightly larger thantube 28 and arranged such that the two tubes fit in a touchingrelationship as shown in FIG. 2. On the interior wall 24 of side wall 16are fixedly attached by rivets 20, a second set of U-shaped tubes 30 and32. Tubes 30 and 32 are identical and aligned respectively with tubes 26and 28.

A cross section of the top end 34 of tube 32 is shown in FIG. 3. Here,side wall 16 is shown riveted to tube 32 by rivet 20. Plug 36 isprovided with eye bolt 38 such that plug 36 will hold fixed the end ofspring 40. Spring 40 extends within tube 32 as shown by FIG. 2. The end42 of spring 40 is fixedly attached a flexible, non-elastic cable 44.Cable 44 extends the rest of the way through tube 32 and over pulley 46.Pulley 46 is pivotally attached to the opposite end 48 of tube 32 and isadapted to rotate about axis 50 in response to the movement of cable 44.

As seen in FIG. 4, cable 44 is secured to an article rack 52 which maybe of any generalized configuration such that articles may be displayedor stacked. For instance, each rack 52 may have a flat, rigid surface asseen in FIG. 4, or it may have a number of dividing slots 54 such asshown in FIG. 1. The particular construction of rack 52 being a matterof choice governed by the type and shape of the articles to bedisplayed. Rack 52 may be flat so that the rack hangs freely within thefour side walls 12, 14, 16 and 18 as shown in FIG. 1, or a number ofwheels 58 may be attached to the rack bottom 56 by brackets 60 such thatthe wheels will rollably engage the interior of side walls 12, 14, 16and 18 thereby preventing rack 52 from lateral movement. Wheel 58 andbracket 60 may be of any suitable material of either a rigid orresilient nature.

Referring again to FIG. 1 and 2, U-shaped tubes 26, 28 and 30, each havetheir own plugs 36, eye bolts 38, springs 40, cables 44, pulleys 46,axis 50 as discussed with reference to tube 32. Also, wheels 58 andbrackets 60 are constructed and arranged on the interior of side walls12 and 16 as indicated in the FIG. 4.

In operation, the articles (not shown) to be displayed are placed withindisplay rack 10. As more weight (articles) is placed on rack 52, therack will be forced downward as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2.Similarly, as the articles are used one by one, rack 52 will rise slowlythereby maintaining a constant level of articles.

The height of rack 52 and the type of material used in spring 40 will bedetermined by the range of loads display rack will be expected tohandle. In addition, the tension within springs 40 can be increased ordecreased either by lengthening or shortening cable 44 or re-hookingeye-bolt 38 to a different location along spring 40.

FIG. 6 shows a view through line 6-6 and illustrates one constructionwherein U-shaped tubes 30 and 32 are circular. In FIG. 5, tubes 62 and64 are square in cross section. The particular cross sectionalconfiguration being a matter of choice.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, a second display rack embodiment 66 isshown. Rack 66 varies from rack 10 in that the U-shaped tubes areinverted and each is shaped as a book. In this embodiment, four hookshaped tubes 68, 70, 72 and 74 are attached and aligned on side walls inthe same manner described previously. Within the tubes, springs 40 areattached at one end to eye bolts 38 and at the distal end to pins 76which are fixedly attached to and protrude horizontally from the cornersof rack 52 as illustrated in FIG. 8. Pins 76 protrude through slots 78which extend axially downward along the side walls of the tube legs asindicated by FIG. 7. The pins 76 are of smaller diameter than slots 78so that rack 52 will freely slide up and down slots 78 in response tothe load on the rack.

In addition, it is contemplated that the inverted hook shaped tubes ofembodiment 66 could be arches (not shown) which each extend to theground.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show yet another embodiment in which four hollow straighttubes 80, 82 and 84 and 86 extend upward and are supported rigidly in arectangular relationship by side walls 12, 14, 16 and 18 as in the firstand second embodiments. At the top and connecting tubes 80, 82, 84 and86 are panels 88 upon which indicia such as advertisements may beplaced. The top end of the tubes have plugs 36 and eye-bolts 38 asdescribed above to which are attached springs 40. The other end ofsprings 40 are attached to pins 76. Pins 76 are attached horizontally torack 52 which is of the same general construction as described above. Asin the previous embodiment, slots 78 are provided in the lower end ofthe tubes and arranged so that rack 52 will move vertically in responseto a varying load. Plugs 36 and eye bolts 39 are arranged such that theymay be hooked to a number of places along springs 40 in order to varythe tension in springs 40 and hence the level of rack 52.

In utilizing this invention, it is contemplated that the side walls ofthis display rack be utilized to carry advertising indicia and the liketo describe and advertise the articles being dispensed.

It is also contemplated that the display racks be made of any suitableconstruction material such as metal, wood or plastic.

It is further contemplated that the tubes in the second and thirdembodiments be used alone to support the display rack and in thatsituation the side walls would not be needed for support hence theycould be made of a flexible, thin material such as paper or removedcompletely.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and,since certain changes may be made in the above article without departingfrom the scope of the invention, it is intended that all mattercontained in the above description shall be interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Now that the invention has been described:

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic leveling display rack comprising: a first and secondside wall, said side walls being vertically and fixedly disposed in aspaced relationship by supporting means, said first side wall having afirst and second curved tube affixed thereto, said second side wallhaving a third and fourth curved tube attached thereto, each of saidfour tubes having resilient means attached to one end thereof andextending into said tubes, the unattached end of said four resilientmeans being operatively connected to an article rack whereby saidarticle rack is suspended between said walls and arranged to move up ordown in response to a varying load placed thereon.

2. The display rack of claim 1 wherein said first and second side wallsare in a substantially parallel, spaced relation and wherein said curvedtubes are substantially U shaped with the bight of said U-shaped tubesbeing uppermost.

3. The display rack of claim 1 wherein said first and third curved tubesare slightly larger than said second and fourth curved tubes and furtherwherein said first and second tubes are arranged in a co-extensive,touching relationship on said first side wall and said third and fourthtubes are arranged in a co-extensive, touching relationship on saidsecond side wall.

4. The display rack of claim 1 wherein said support means comprise athird and fourth side wall conjoined at the vertical edges thereof withsaid first and second side wall whereby a substantially rectangularcolumn is formed, wherein said article rack is suspended by saidresilient means.

5. The display rack of claim 1 wherein said resilient means is a springof a smaller diameter than said tube, said spring being fixedly attachedto said tube and extending into said tube.

6. The display rack of claim 5 wherein said resilient means furthercomprises a flexible, substantially non-resilient cable attached at oneend to the free end of said spring and at the distal end to an articlerack.

7. The display rack of claim 6 wherein said tubes are U- shaped with thebight of said U-shaped tubes proximate with the base of said side walls.

8. The display rack of claim 5 wherein each of said tubes have axiallyextending slots therein through which the free end of said spring isfixed to said article rack.

9. The display rack of claim 6 wherein each of said flexible,non-resilient cables are operatively associated with roller meansattached to one end of each of said tubes, whereby said cable will movesubstantially friction free over said roller means.

10. The display rack of claim 8 wherein said tubes are hookshaped andarranged so that the long leg of said each of said tubes extend to thebase of said side walls.

11. The display rack of claim 10 wherein said article rack is pinconnected through said slots with said spring whereby said article rackis suspended within said display rack and adapted to move vertically inresponse to a varying load.

12. The display rack of claim 8 wherein said tubes are archshaped andarranged so that the legs of said arches extend to the base of said sidewalls.

1. An automatic leveling display rack comprising: a first and secondside wall, said side walls being vertically and fixedly disposed in aspaced relationship by supporting means, said first side wall having afirst and second curved tube affixed thereto, said second side wallhaving a third and fourth curved tube attached thereto, each of saidfour tubes having resilient means attached to one end thereof andextending into said tubes, the unattached end of said four resilientmeans being operatively connected to an article rack whereby saidarticle rack is suspended between said walls and arranged to move up ordown in response to a varying load placed thereon.
 2. The display rackof claim 1 wherein said first and second side walls are in asubstantially parallel, spaced relation and wherein said curved tubesare substantially U shaped with the bight of said U-shaped tubes beinguppermost.
 3. The display rack of claim 1 wherein said first and thirdcurved tubes are slightly larger than said second and fourth curvedtubes and further wherein said first and second tubes are arranged in aco-extensive, touching relationship on said first side wall and saidthird and fourth tubes are arranged in a co-extensive, touchingrelationship on said second side wall.
 4. The display rack of claim 1wherein said support means comprise a third and fourth side wallconjoined at the vertical edges thereof with said first and second sidewall whereby a substantially rectangular column is formed, wherein saidarticle rack is suspended by said resilient means.
 5. The display rackof claim 1 wherein said resilient means is a spring of a smallerdiameter than said tube, said spring being fixedly attached to said tubeand extending into said tube.
 6. The display rack of claim 5 whereinsaid resilient means further comprises a flexible, substantiallynon-resilient cable attached at one end to the free end of said springand at the distal end to an article rack.
 7. The display rack of claim 6wherein said tubeS are U-shaped with the bight of said U-shaped tubesproximate with the base of said side walls.
 8. The display rack of claim5 wherein each of said tubes have axially extending slots thereinthrough which the free end of said spring is fixed to said article rack.9. The display rack of claim 6 wherein each of said flexible,non-resilient cables are operatively associated with roller meansattached to one end of each of said tubes, whereby said cable will movesubstantially friction free over said roller means.
 10. The display rackof claim 8 wherein said tubes are hook-shaped and arranged so that thelong leg of said each of said tubes extend to the base of said sidewalls.
 11. The display rack of claim 10 wherein said article rack is pinconnected through said slots with said spring whereby said article rackis suspended within said display rack and adapted to move vertically inresponse to a varying load.
 12. The display rack of claim 8 wherein saidtubes are arch-shaped and arranged so that the legs of said archesextend to the base of said side walls.